But the list of problems patients face at Trishuli Hospital in Nuwakot district, which has been running much of the medical services from tents and makeshift shelters, does not end there.Very few of the doctors posted to the hospital have reported to the job since the mega earthquake April last year, denying proper care to patients suffering from various diseases.
"The number of patients visiting the hospital has declined drastically in the months after the devastating quake," said Bisho Ram Shrestha, chief of District Public Health Office (DPHO), Nuwakot, adding, "Even the doctors and health workers are reluctant to provide services from the tents."
Shrestha informed that a dentist and an acting superintendent have been running the hospital that gets patients from neighboring districts of Dhading and Rashuwa as well.
"How long can we continue treating patients from tents?" asked Shrestha.
He concedes that the facility and the quality of services at the district hospital have worsened enough to be comparable to health posts.
Along with the district hospital, four primary health care centers, 64 health posts, five urban health units, 31 birthing centers in the districts incurred huge damage in the devastating quake last year.
Most of these facilities resumed services from tents soon after the disaster. However, except the district hospital, most health facilities have already shifted their operations back to their original buildings that had suffered partial or serious damage during the earthquake.
"Many health workers are compelled to provide treatments from damaged buildings, risking their own lives and the lives of the patients," complained Shrestha.
He lamented that the government didn't think it necessary to give priority to rebuilding health facilities and has chosen to look at it as a part of the overall reconstruction works.
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